Week 16 Power Rankings - Jackets slip a bit after 2 road losses

TSN.ca - Up 1 to 14
While Nikolai Zherdev's blocked shot was good for the highlight reels, he's still minus-9 in the last ten games. The only Jacket worse has been Jiri Novotny, who is minus-10.

Yahoo.com - down one to 19
Rick Nash. No quibble with Nash's selection. With the prodding of coach Ken Hitchcock, Nash has become more of a complete player and he's led the Blue Jackets. But somehow goalie Pascal Leclaire has to be invited. He's the league leader with seven shutouts, a great save percentage and low goals-against average. C'mon.

THN.com - down 3 to 19
If you didn’t see Rick Nash’s amazing goal last week, do yourself a favor and check it out on YouTube. Gold Jerry! Gold!

ESPN.com - stays put at 19
That insane goal against the Phoenix last week is all the proof you need for Mr. Rick Nash.

CNNSI.com - down 2 to 17
Columbus Blue Jackets (23-20-6)Their 3rd-ranked PK has been solid all season, but that's about it. After starting on fire, goalie Pascal Leclaire has come back to reality. Of his NHL-leading seven shutouts, only one has come since Nov. 24. He's also allowed three or more goals in three of his last five starts. Another problem: lack of scoring outside of Rick Nash and Nikolai Zherdev, who have combined for 45 of the team's 121 goals. Last Week: 2-2-0 Early Prediction: 11th in West

CBC.ca - down 1 to 16
Hanging in, but schedule has been tough.

FoxSports.com - up 1 to 19
(.533) By winning two of their three Week 15 games, the Blue Jackets were able to move up two places in the rankings. Nikolai Zherdev played a huge role in the two wins last week, first scoring two goals in a 6-4 win over the Blues, then adding one assist and the game-decider in a 2-1 shootout win over the Predators.

CBSSports.com - up 1 to 21
Getting Fredrik Modin back in the lineup helps but the Jackets still have to figure out how to pick up a few more wins on the road.

Average score: 18.00 (last week 17.63)

Once again TSN gives us the highest score at 14 while yes, you guessed it, CBSSports comes in at the lowest with a score of 21. That Goldstein just doesn't believe in this team, even 50 games into this season.

Overall the Jackets slide a bit and that's due to their 2 game losing streak. However I'm sure Goldstein will be glad to hear the Jackets won...on the road...again last night. A win in Chicago..on the road...will most certainly cause Jacket climb up the rankings.

-LTL